Creative sector support: Funding

Funding for the creative sector

There are lots of sources of funding out there that could help you get your cultural project or event off the ground.

Find out about:

Visit our business funding page for more advice.

Arts Council England

Arts Council England offer:

  • support
  • advice
  • funding opportunities.

They invest public money from government and the National Lottery to give everyone the opportunity to let their creativity flourish. This ensures that we all have access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences.

More about Arts Council England.

The Actors Children's Trust (ACT)

ACT helps actors’ children enjoy secure and creative lives. They give financial, practical and emotional support to help parents working in the acting industry.

More about ACT.

ARTCRY

ARTCRY is led by a group of artists, creatives, agitators and producers.

They believe that funding can encourage and enable more artists to make work as part of a public dialogue. They also support and offer funding to fast response artists where immediate funding is needed to make their work possible.

More about ARTCRY.

Artists' General Benevolent Institute (AGBI)

AGBI financially supports professional artists in need and their dependents living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who cannot work or earn due to accident, illness or older age.

More about AGBI.

British Council

British Council has a range of current and upcoming international opportunities for:

  • artists
  • creatives
  • professionals
  • organisations.

More about the British Council.

The British Film Institute (BFI)

BFI support filmmakers and the screen industry in the UK and abroad.

They provide funding for film and TV development and production as well as funding to build skills and experience.

More about the BFI.

Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust

Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust offer grants to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people living in Kent and Medway.

They invest in communities, families and young people, locally and in rehabilitation.

More about the Colyer Fergusson Charitable Trust.

The Cole Charitable Trust

The Cole Charitable Trust is a small grant-making trust which supports charities in the:

  • West Midlands
  • Kent
  • Cambridgeshire.

More about the Cole Charitable Trust.

The Co-op Community Fund

The Co-op Community Fund supports projects that make communities fairer for everyone.

Apply for funding from the Co-op Community Fund.

Dance Professionals Fund

Dance Professionals Fund aims to support people in the dance world throughout their lives.

They offer financial help for individuals during their dance careers and into retirement.

More about Dance Professionals Fund.

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation make unrestricted, core and project grants for charitable work in the UK.

More about the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

Freelands Foundation

Freelands Foundation aims to help more people engage with and enjoy the visual arts in the UK.

For more information about available resources and grants, visit the Freelands Foundation website.

Inside Track

The Inside Track newsletter has the latest information on national, regional and local sources of funding, funding deadlines and grant schemes.

Visit the Inside Track website.

Jerwood Arts

Jerwood Arts is the leading independent funder dedicated to supporting UK artists, curators and producers.

More about Jerwood Arts.

Kent Business Portal

The Kent Business Portal is a hub for upcoming tendering opportunities and business contracts in Kent.

Visit the Kent Business Portal.

Kent County Council (KCC) grants and funding

KCC offer:

  • funding opportunities
  • help and advice
  • other funding sources.

More about KCC grants and funding.

Kent Community Foundation

Most of Kent Community Foundation’s grants go to groups, in particular small community and voluntary groups that are charities and are working for the benefit of people in Kent and Medway.

More about the Kent Community Foundation.

Making Music

The Making Music website provides information on places that fund music opportunities.

Visit the Making Music website.

Metal

Metal support artists working in all disciplines, providing opportunities like:

  • Estuary Festival
  • artists-in-residence
  • intensive, week-long Culture LABs for peer-to-peer learning and exchange.

For more information, visit the Metal website.

The Morrisons Foundation

The Morrisons Foundation supports charities making a positive difference in local communities across England, Scotland and Wales.

To find out how you can apply for funding, visit the Morrisons Foundation website.

National Lottery Heritage Fund

The National Lottery Heritage Fund are the largest dedicated grant funder of the UK’s heritage.

They distribute National Lottery Grants, funding projects that sustain and transform the UK’s heritage.

As the heritage fund, they distribute non-lottery funding too.

More about The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Outdoor Arts UK (OAUK)

OAUK advocates for outdoor arts across:

  • cultural bodies
  • national and local government organisations
  • various funding arenas.

They support the sector by providing practical information on good working practices and guidance for new and experienced practitioners.

More about OAUK.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

Paul Hamlyn Foundation can help fund:

  • education and learning through the arts
  • investment in young people
  • arts access and participation.

More about the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

The Rochester Bridge Trust

For grant opportunities and other resources, visit the Rochester Bridge Trust website.

Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation

The Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation offers funding to a wide range of charities based in or operating mainly in Kent.

More about the Whitehead Monckton Charitable Foundation.

Youth Music

Youth Music is a charitable funder.

This means that they give grants to other organisations to run music making projects or create career progression opportunities in music.

Visit the Youth Music website.